Exforge

Managing high blood pressure is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your long-term heart health. Exforge is a licensed combination medicine used in adults whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled on a single antihypertensive drug. It brings together two established active ingredients, amlodipine and valsartan, in a single daily tablet. This simplifies treatment and supports consistent blood pressure control. A prescription can only be issued following a clinical consultation.

Exforge is a prescription-only film-coated tablet containing two active ingredients: amlodipine (a calcium channel blocker) and valsartan (an angiotensin II receptor blocker, also called an ARB). It is manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd and holds a UK marketing authorisation for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure) in adults.

Exforge is intended for patients whose blood pressure is not sufficiently controlled by amlodipine or valsartan alone, or as a substitute in patients who are already taking both medicines as separate tablets. It is available in three strengths to allow dose adjustment to individual patient needs.

As a combination antihypertensive medication, Exforge falls into the category of cardiovascular therapy products. It is not suitable for use in children or adolescents under 18 years of age.

Exforge works through two complementary mechanisms to lower blood pressure, bringing together the actions of a calcium channel blocker and an ARB in a single tablet.

Amlodipine (Calcium Channel Blocker)

Amlodipine blocks calcium channels in the walls of blood vessels and in the heart. This prevents calcium from entering smooth muscle cells, causing the blood vessel walls to relax and widen. The widening of blood vessels (vasodilation) reduces the resistance against which the heart must pump, resulting in lower blood pressure.

Valsartan (Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker)

Valsartan blocks the action of angiotensin II, a hormone that causes blood vessels to narrow and the body to retain sodium and water. By blocking the receptor for angiotensin II, valsartan prevents this narrowing effect and promotes vasodilation, reducing blood pressure through a different pathway from the amlodipine component.

The combination of a calcium channel blocker and an ARB in one tablet provides blood pressure control through dual pathways. Clinical studies supporting the UK SmPC have shown this combination to be effective at reducing both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adults with hypertension.

Always take Exforge exactly as your prescriber instructs. Read the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your medicine before you start treatment. The information below summarises the key points from the current UK SmPC; your prescriber can advise on any aspect specific to your situation.

• Take one tablet once daily, at approximately the same time each day.
• Exforge can be taken with or without food.
• Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the tablet.
• If you forget a dose and it is more than 8 hours until your next scheduled dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is less than 8 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue as normal. Do not take two doses to make up for a missed one.
• Do not stop taking Exforge without speaking to your prescriber first, even if you feel well. Stopping suddenly can cause your blood pressure to rise.
• Blood pressure control is an ongoing process. Regular monitoring and follow-up appointments with your prescriber are important. Your prescriber may also measure kidney function and electrolytes while you are taking this medicine.

Exforge is available in three strengths. The appropriate strength for you will be determined by your prescriber based on your individual blood pressure levels, response to treatment, and any previous medicines you have taken.

Exforge 80mg/5mg Tablets

Each tablet contains valsartan 80 mg and amlodipine 5 mg. This is typically the starting strength for patients who are being switched from separate tablets of each component at these doses, or for patients stepping up from monotherapy who require a lower starting combination dose.

Exforge 160mg/5mg Tablets

Each tablet contains valsartan 160 mg and amlodipine 5 mg. This strength may be appropriate for patients who need a higher dose of the valsartan component while maintaining the lower amlodipine dose.

Exforge 160mg/10mg Tablets

Each tablet contains valsartan 160 mg and amlodipine 10 mg. This is the highest strength available and is used in patients who require more intensive blood pressure control with the maximum doses of both components.

Dose selection and any changes to your dose are the exclusive decision of your prescriber. Do not adjust your dose without medical advice. The maximum recommended daily dose of the amlodipine component is 10 mg, and of the valsartan component is 320 mg. This figure would require two separate valsartan tablets. This is outside the scope of Exforge combination tablets as licensed.

Like all medicines, Exforge can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them. The following information is based on the current UK SmPC. For a full list of side effects, refer to the Patient Information Leaflet or the SmPC.

Common Side Effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Oedema (swelling, particularly of the ankles and feet). This is a known effect of the amlodipine component
• Fatigue
• Flushing

Uncommon Side Effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Low blood pressure (hypotension), which may cause dizziness when standing up
• Joint pain (arthralgia) or muscle pain (myalgia)
• Increased frequency of passing urine

Serious Side Effects: Seek Medical Attention Promptly

Tell your prescriber or go to your nearest accident and emergency department immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Signs of angioedema (sudden swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty swallowing or breathing). This is a rare but serious side effect associated with ARBs
• Severe low blood pressure causing fainting or collapse
• Unusual bruising or bleeding, which could suggest changes in blood cell counts
• Signs of kidney problems such as reduced urine output or swelling

This is not a complete list of side effects. Report any suspected side effect to your prescriber.

Exforge May Be Suitable If You:

• Are an adult aged 18 or over with a confirmed diagnosis of hypertension
• Have tried an amlodipine or valsartan-based medicine separately and require a combination approach
• Are already taking both amlodipine and valsartan as individual tablets and wish to simplify your regimen

Exforge Is Not Suitable If You:

• Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Valsartan can harm an unborn baby and is contraindicated in pregnancy
• Have severe liver disease or biliary cirrhosis
• Have severe kidney impairment or are on dialysis
• Have a known allergy or hypersensitivity to amlodipine, valsartan, or any of the excipients listed in the SmPC
• Are taking aliskiren-containing medicines and have diabetes or moderate to severe kidney impairment
• Are under 18 years of age

Exforge may interact with other medicines. Tell your prescriber about all medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter products and herbal supplements. Of particular importance are:

• Other antihypertensive medicines, which may enhance the blood pressure-lowering effect
• Potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, or potassium-containing salt substitutes, which can raise potassium levels when combined with valsartan
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, which can reduce the effectiveness of Exforge and may affect kidney function
• Lithium: valsartan may increase lithium levels and toxicity
• CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as ketoconazole, ritonavir, erythromycin) and inducers, which can alter the exposure to the amlodipine component

Your prescriber will carry out a clinical assessment to determine whether Exforge is appropriate given your full medical history, current medicines, and any other health conditions. This assessment is required before a prescription can be considered.

Exforge is a Prescription Only Medicine. The consultation is the primary and necessary step in this process. Whether this medicine is ultimately prescribed depends entirely on the outcome of your individual clinical consultation with a registered prescriber.

During your online consultation with Pharmacy Planet, a registered prescriber will review the information you provide about your medical history, current medicines, blood pressure readings, and any other relevant clinical details. Based on this clinical assessment, the prescriber will decide whether Exforge is appropriate for you. A prescription will only be issued if the prescriber determines, in their clinical judgement, that this medicine is safe and suitable for your specific circumstances.

Not everyone who completes a consultation will receive a prescription. The prescriber may recommend an alternative medicine, suggest a different dose, request further information, or recommend that you see your GP or specialist in person before treatment can proceed.

This service is intended to support, not replace, your relationship with your GP or specialist. If you are already under the care of a healthcare professional for blood pressure management, we encourage you to keep them informed of any medicines you are taking.

• Store below 30°C.
• Store in the original blister packaging to protect from moisture.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date printed on the carton and blister foil.
• Do not dispose of medicines via wastewater or household waste. Return unused or expired medicines to your pharmacist for safe disposal.
• Further storage information is available in the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your medicine.

The table below compares combination tablets that contain two active ingredients in a single dose. These are prescribed when a single medicine does not provide adequate blood pressure control.

Important: This comparison is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. A prescriber will decide which treatment is suitable for you following an online consultation.

Pharmacy Planet is a registered UK online pharmacy regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Our pharmacy team includes qualified pharmacists and prescribers who are committed to safe, patient-centred care.

We provide access to prescription medicines through a structured, clinically led consultation process. Every prescription is reviewed by a registered prescriber and dispensed by a GPhC-registered pharmacy. Our service is designed to complement, not replace, your existing NHS care.

If you have questions about Exforge or any other medicine we stock, our pharmacist team is available to provide advice. We are committed to transparency, patient safety, and the responsible supply of prescription medicines in line with GPhC standards and MHRA guidance.

References

1. Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd. Exforge 80 mg/5 mg, 160 mg/5 mg, and 160 mg/10 mg film-coated tablets — Summary of Product Characteristics. electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC). https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc. Accessed May 2026.
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Hypertension in adults: diagnosis and management. NICE guideline NG136. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng136. Accessed May 2026.
3. NHS. High blood pressure (hypertension). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension. Accessed May 2026.
4. Joint Formulary Committee. British National Formulary (BNF). Amlodipine; Valsartan; Amlodipine with valsartan. BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press. https://bnf.nice.org.uk. Accessed May 2026.
5. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Yellow Card — report a side effect. https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk. Accessed May 2026.